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Do Animals Belong in the Lab?

''Debate Over Whether to Defend Animal Tests'' (front page, July 23) indicates that virtually nothing has changed in the standoff between animal rights activists and scientists.

As a dean for research at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine more than 15 years ago, I heard all of the arguments against the humane use of animals in research but never received a cogent rebuttal to my question: ''Would you be willing to forgo for yourself, spouse or child a surgical procedure or treatment developed through humane use of animals, even if it would result in the preservation of life?''

When I receive a nonhypocritical answer, I will assign some credence to the animal-rights movement's arguments.